01/20/2026
THE LATEST
Before you make important decisions, it is really
important to know the facts. Here are some sobering
facts about the influenza situation in Pennsylvania.
The influenza rate in PA is rated as high to very high.
There have been 35,000 cases in PA since the fall and over
14,000 during the Christmas week from 12/21 to 12/28.
The state has recorded at least 552 hospitalizations and
142 pediatric hospitalizations. Influenza is responsible for
7% of all emergency room visits. There have also been at
least 22 flu related deaths with at least 9 pediatric deaths.
The reason for this alarming situation is that the
influenza vaccine this year did not account for a “subclade
K” strain which was not a prominent strain when the
vaccine was formulated. Also, and very importantly,
the vaccination rate has gone down substantially.
Not all of the cases are due to the “K” strain. The
influenza rates are even higher in neighboring states.
What is the take away from all of this? First, and
foremost, you need to protect yourself at all times;
when you are shopping, you are at church or whenever
you are in a crowded space, consider a mask, keep you
hands away from your face and use hand sanitizer. It
goes without saying that a flu shot is important, but I
have gotten tired of trying to convince some patients
that this is an important protection method. Oh, by the
way, RSV is surging as well. There is a vaccine for that.
